Republican lawmakers are seeking to end a Biden administration mandate that local governments and water utilities identify and replace lead pipes nationwide, potentially obstructing efforts being made in metro Atlanta. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) aim to eliminate toxic pipes in the U.S. within the next 10 years. Following this mandate, areas like […]
DeKalb County
Posted inCriminal Justice, Policing
How to Request Body Camera Footage from Atlanta Police
After Atlanta police officer Marquee Kelley fatally shot local activist Oscar Cain Jr. in the back in March 2019 — with his dashboard and body cameras turned off — the department sought ways to bring more transparency and accountability to policing in the city. The Atlanta Police Department had first deployed body cameras in 2016, however a […]
Posted inFood Access, Health, Partner Content
DeKalb Residents Say They Need Better Access to Health Care, Healthy Food
This story was originally published by Healthbeat. Sign up for their public health newsletters at healthbeat.org/newsletters. DeKalb County residents want more options for physical activity and healthy food and better access to health care providers, according to the latest Community Health Needs Assessment. DeKalb Public Health CEO Dr. Sandra Valenciano presented the findings at a […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy
Election Officials Ready for Smooth Election Following SEB Rule Overturn
Lashandra Little says she and other Fulton County election officials breathed a collective sigh of relief last month when a judge invalidated a controversial set of seven state election rules that many feared would create “chaos” on Election Day. “Training had already started,” Little, who serves as Fulton County’s voter education and outreach manager, told […]
Posted inHealth, Housing, Partner Content
Extended-Stay Hotels Offer Relief From Homelessness, but Can Lead to Health Problems for Kids
This article was published by KFF Health News. STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — As principal of Dunaire Elementary School, Sean Deas has seen firsthand the struggles faced by children living in extended-stay hotels. About 10% of students at his school, just east of Atlanta, live in one. The children, Deas said, often have been exposed to […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy
Forgot to Register to Vote? Today Is the Deadline in Georgia.
Today is the final day Georgia residents can register to vote in this year’s Nov. 5 presidential election. The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office says eligible residents have until close of business on Oct. 7 to submit their voter registration application online or via U.S. mail. Folks who don’t have internet access can register to […]
Posted inCOVID-19, Health, Partner Content
Uninsured in Atlanta and Need a COVID Shot? You May Need to Call Around.
This story was originally published by Healthbeat. Sign up for their public health newsletters at healthbeat.org/newsletters It’s been over a month since the FDA approved new COVID vaccines, but for uninsured and underinsured Atlantans who rely on the public health system to get the shots at low cost, the process is fraught with conflicting information […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy, Voting
Advocates Are Working to Ensure Homeless Georgians Can Vote in November
James McWhorter was surprised in October when he received a letter in the mail informing him a DeKalb County resident had challenged his eligibility to vote because his listed address didn’t match the driver’s license he used to register back in 2008. The 55-year-old barber and Army veteran, who lives in Stone Mountain, explained at […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
APS Board Runoff Election Is Happening Dec. 5. Here’s What You Need to Know.
This story was published as part of our #APSVotes project with Atlanta Civic Circle to help shed light on APS school board elections. Read our school board election voting guide here. Atlanta voters will return to the polls for a Dec. 5 runoff election to decide who will fill the final seat on the city’s […]
Posted inCop City, Criminal Justice
Environmental Impact Targeted in New Push Against ‘Cop City’
Opponents of the developing Atlanta Public Safety Training Center have adopted a new strategy to stop the so-called “Cop City” from being built. Activists filed a complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of External Civil Rights Compliance last week, arguing that the 85-acre site in unincorporated southern DeKalb County is damaging the ecosystem in […]
